23-5-2024 (BEIJING) Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have escalated as China initiated two days of military exercises encircling Taiwan, prompting the island’s armed forces to mobilize in a show of preparedness to safeguard its sovereignty.
The drills, spanning the Taiwan Strait and encompassing areas surrounding Taiwan-controlled islands situated near the Chinese coast, commenced on Thursday, mere days after Lai Ching-te assumed the presidency of Taiwan. Beijing has lambasted Lai as a “separatist,” further straining the already fraught cross-strait relations.
Denouncing Lai’s inauguration speech on Monday, in which he called upon China to cease its threats, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi characterized the new Taiwanese leader as “disgraceful” on Tuesday. Despite Lai’s repeated overtures for dialogue, Beijing has consistently rebuffed his advances, asserting that only the Taiwanese people can determine their future and rejecting China’s claims of sovereignty over the island.
The Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced the commencement of joint military exercises involving the army, navy, air force, and rocket force at 7:45 a.m. local time. These drills encompass areas within the Taiwan Strait, as well as the northern, southern, and eastern regions surrounding Taiwan, in addition to the vicinities of the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin.
Taiwan’s defense ministry swiftly condemned the drills, asserting that it had dispatched forces to strategic locations around the island and expressing confidence in its ability to protect its territory. “The launch of military exercises on this occasion not only does not contribute to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, it also highlights (China’s) militaristic mentality,” the ministry stated.
A senior Taiwanese official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, informed Reuters that the drills were anticipated and that the island’s government has a “comprehensive grasp” of Chinese military movements.
According to China’s military, the exercises focus on joint sea-air combat-readiness patrols, precision strikes on key targets, and integrated operations within and beyond the island chain to test the “joint real combat capabilities” of the forces. “This is also a strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces and a stern warning against the interference and provocation by external forces,” the command added.
Chinese state media disseminated a map depicting the drill zones, spanning five areas encircling Taiwan and the islands under its control near the Chinese coast.
Despite the heightened tensions, there were no overt signs of alarm in Taiwan, where residents are accustomed to Chinese military activity. The benchmark stock index showed a modest 0.3 percent decline on Thursday morning.
This latest escalation follows China’s launch of live-fire military exercises around Taiwan in August 2022, immediately after a visit by former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which drew strong condemnation from Beijing. That series of unprecedented exercises lasted for four days, followed by several additional days of drills.
